Elevator.



C. W. KiBSGH.

ELEVATOR.

(Application filed m 26, 1902.

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

No. 7I|,726. Patented Oct. 2|, I902.

C. W. KIRSCH.

(Application filed May 26, 1902.)

Patentad Oct. 2|, i902.

2 Sheets$heat 2.

E M rW/M Ahazns 75.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES WV. KIRSCH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO ELEVATOR SAFETY DEVICE COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELEVATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 711,726, dated October 21, 1902.

Application filed May 26, 1902. Serial No. 108,930. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. Kmson, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Elevators, of which the following is a specification. Y

My invention relates to improvements in devices for automatically opening and closing doors leading to elevator-cars as the car ascends and descends; and it pertains to that class in which the door is thrown open by bearings supported from the moving car as it passes the different landings in either direction and is closed by the recoil of actuatingsprings.

My improvements are explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a front view of a dooractuating mechanism in connection with the elevator-door and the descending car. Fig. 2 is a side view of the subject-matter shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail showing a vertical section of a roller-bearing and sliding block in connection with their supportingways. Fig. 4 is a detail of a device for looking the elevator-door in its closed position. Fig. 5 is a modified form of the device shown in Fig. 1, in which the relative positions of the levers and springs to each other and the other parts of the device are changed. Fig. 6 is a detail of one of the door-actuating levers, and Fig. 7 is a detail of a part of the folding bracket shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

Like parts are identified by the same reference-numerals throughout the several views.

1 represents the lower portion of an elevator-car as it appears when it descends toward one of the several 1andings 2 of a building. 3 is a door located in front of one of the doorways or openings 4, leading to the elevator-car,which door 3 is automatically moved toward the right and opened through the means hereinafter described as the car approaches the landing in either direction. \Vhen desirous to open the door at any of the several landings, motion is communicated to the door at such landing from the approaching car through the adjustable contact arms or bearings 27 of the bracket 5, roller-bearing 6, sliding block 7, link 8, and lever 9, one or more springs 10, and lever 11. The lever 11 is connected at its lower end to the landing 2 through the stationary bracket 12 and pivotal bolt 13 and at its upper end to the door 3 through the plate let and sliding bearing 15. The bearing 15 has an upward-and-downward movement in the slot 16 of said plate as the door 3 is opened and closed. To prevent the shock and strain upon the door and connecting parts that might otherwise occur as the contact-arms of the bracket 5 (which is connected with the rapidly-moving car) strikes the roller-bearing 6 and which would occur were such parts rigidly connected together, I have interposed the springs 10 between the sliding block 7 and lever 11, which springs, owing to their elasticity, permit said sliding block to be thrown back quickly when brought in contact with said bracket and said springs to be put under tension without moving said door as the inertia of the same is being overcome, when the door is thereafter gradually opened by the recoil of said springs. In the preferred form (shown in Fig. 1) the springs 10 are connectedwith the slidingblock 7 through thelever 9 and link 8, whilein the modified form (shown in Fig. 5) the springs communicate directly between said door-actuating lever and said sliding block. When the car has passed the landing in either direction and the sliding block is released from the action of the bracket 5, the door 3 is automatically thrown back to the closed position shown by the recoil of the springs 17, which have been put under tension by the described movement of the sliding block 7 as said door is opened. By the constructionshown in Fig. 1 motion is communicated from the compression-springs 17 through the sliding block 7, link 8, lever 9, stop 18, and link 19, while in the modified form of device shown in Fig. 5 expansion-springs are substituted for the compression-springs shown in Fig. 1, and motion is communicated from said expansionsprings to the actuating-lever through the lever 9.

It will be understood that in both the preferred and modified forms of devices shown in Figs'l and 5 the sliding block 7 is connected directly with the lever 9 by rigid links 8 and that consequently said lever 9 is thrown back with a quick positive movement, with said sliding block in advance of the lever 11, which lever 11 ismoved gradually through the action of the springs 10'and the levers restored to their normal relative position to each other, as shown, as said door is opened. When, however, the lever 9 is moved in the opposite direction by the recoil of the spring 17, motion is communicated from said lever 9'to said lever 11 when said levers 9 and 11 are moved back together. In the preferred form(shown in Fig.1) motion is communicated from the lever 9 to the lever 11 when the door is closed through the stop 18 and link 19, while in the modified form (shown in Fig. 5) both of said levers 9 and 11 are supported from the same pivotal bolt 13 and the link 19 is dispensed with and motion is comm unicated from the lever 9 to the lever 11 as said door is closed through the adjustable stop 20. In the form of construction shown in Fig. 5 the stop 20 is adjustably supported from the forwardly-projecting lug 21 in front of the edge or side of the lever 11, whereby the relative position of said levers 9 and 11 to each other may be changed as may be required to regulate the throw or movement of the door by changing the adjustment of said stop 20 in said lug 21.

To provide for increasing or diminishing the tension of the spring 17 in the modified form, it is preferably connected with the stationary bracket 12 by an adjustable connection, consisting of the arm 22, pivotal bolt 23, stop 24, bolt 25, and nut 26, whereby the tension of said spring 17 may be increased by turning said nut 26 down on said bolt and diminished by a reverse movement of said nut. The folding contact-arms 27 are connected together at their converging ends by the slidable block 28 and pivotal bolts 29, while their opposite ends are connected with the bracket 5 by bolts 31, links 32, and bolts 33. The slidable block 28 is provided in its upper and lower edges with grooves or chan nels for the reception of their supportingbars 34, upon which bars said block 28 'is adapted to be moved toward the right and left by the operator in the elevator-car as the contact-arms of said bracket 5 are extended and contracted.

It will be understood that when desirous to open the elevator-door 3 the folding arms 27 are extended in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5 so that they will be brought in contact with the roller-bearing 6, whereby said hearing will be thrown back (as previously described) and the elevator-door opened. WVhen the car is descending, the roller-bean ing 6 is moved by contact with the lower arm, 27, and when said car is ascending said roller is actuated by contact with the upper arm 27. Motion is communicated to said folding arms 27 by the operator in the car through the operating-lever 34, pivotal bolt 35, link 36, le-

ver 37, shaft 38, lever 39, toggle-joint levers 40, slidable block 28, and pivotal bolts 41, 42, 43, and 44. The lever 39 is provided with a slot for the reception of the projecting end of the bolt 44, which slot permits of the upward movement of said toggle-joint levers, as is required when desirous to contra ct the arms of said bracket 5.

It will be understood that when the togglejoint levers 40 are in line with each other, as shown, the contact-arms 27 of the bracket will be rigidly locked in their extended position, so that they cannot he accidentally thrown back as they are brought in contact with the roller-bearing 7 when opening the door, and that the operator of the elevator is consequently relieved from the necessity of holding said arms in the extended position for such purpose. When, however, the operator wishes to pass any given door in the building without opening it, he is required simply to move the lever 34 from the position shown toward the vertical, whereby said toggle-joint levers will be'thrown up at their contiguous ends and out of the locking position, when by the further movement of said lever 34 the contact-arms of said bracket will be contracted, so as to be brought out of the line of the roller-bearings, when they will pass such door without moving it. It will of course be understood that by a reverse movement of the operatingdever 34 the contactarms of said bracket will be again brought into their extended position and said togglejoint levers will be brought into their locking position in line with each other preparatory to opening any of the doors as they are approached by the car from either direction.

To prevent a person other than the elevator operator from opening the elevator-door when the carhas passed the same, a horizontal recess or notch is formed upon one side of the slot 16 of the plate 14 for the reception of the bearing 15, which is connected with the upperend of the operating-lever, wherebyany effort to slide said door 3 toward the right by a person ,at the landing'would cause the bearing 15 to engage in said recess 55, whereby the further movement of the door would be arrested. When, however, said door is moved through the action of said lever l1,'the movement of said lever toward the right will first disengage said bearing 15 from said recess 55,

when the door will be free to open by the further movement of said lever. To prevent the door from being closed too quickly and to avoid the concussion that would otherwise octhe upper end of the lever 11 through the slid ing block 59 and bearings 15. The cylinder 56 is provided with a check-valve 61, which opens outwardly and permits the air above said piston to escape and said piston to ascend freely, but which valve closes with the downward movement of the piston, whereby a partial vacuum is formed above the piston and its downward movement is retarded by the normal pressure of the exterior air beneath it.

62 is an inlet air-cock, through which air is slowly admitted above the piston as said piston descends, whereby the downward movement of the piston is regulated by regulating the admission of air to the cylinder.

While I have shown two different ways of arranging the two operating-levers 9 and 11 and the two sets of actuating-springs 10 and 17, in one'of which forms one set of springs is so located as to be compressed as the door is opened, while in the other form they are extended as the door is opened, I do not wish to confine or limit my invention to the peculiar arrangement of said levers or springs, as the arrangement of such parts may be changed or varied almost indefinitely, as space, location, and other circumstances may require, without departing from the essence or spirit of my invention, and while I can use a single heavy spring in connection with the door-actuating levers 9 and 11, which alone has the same tension as the several light springs shown in the sets 10 and 17 I preferably employ several light springs in each set, as by so doing the variation in the tension of the lighter springs of a given length andof the Same diameter when expanded or contracted is much less than the variation would be with a single heavy spring of equal resistance.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device for'automatically operating elevator-doors from an elevator-car, the combination with the elevator-car; of adjustable contact arms or bearings; a slidable block provided with a contact-bearing, supported from suitable guideways at the elevator-landings, in line with the line of movement of said contact'arms; a door-actuating lever pivotally supported atone end upon one side of said elevator-door, and connected at its opposite end to said door; means for adjusting said contact arms or bearings from the car so as to be brought in contact with the bearing of said slidable block; means for communicating a yielding movement from said slidable block when actuated by said contact arms or bearings to said door-actuating lever, when opening the door; one or more springs for closing said door when relieved from contact with the bearing-arms of the moving car; means for supporting and applying tension to said actuating spring or springs, from said slidable block, as the door is opened; and means for communicating motion from said actuating spring or springs to said door-actuating lever, when closing said door,

2. In a device for automatically operating elevator-doors from an elevator-car, the combination of a bracket provided with adjustable contact-arms affixed to the exterior of the elevator-car; a stationary bracket affixed to the elevator-landing in the line of movement of said car; a slidable block supported in suitable guideways in said stationary bracket; a roller-bearing supported from said slidable block in line with the line of movement of said contact-arms when extended; a door-actuating lever pivotally connected at its lower end to said stationarybracket, and at its opposite end to said door; means for adjusting said contact-arms from the car so as to be brought in contact with said rollerbearing; means for communicating a yielding movement from said slidable block, when actuated by said contact-arms, to said dooractuating lever; actuating spring or springs for closing said door, when relieved from the action of said contact-arms; means for supporting and applying tension to said actuating spring or springs from said slidable block, as the door is opened; and means for communicating motion from and by the recoil of said actuating spring or springs, to said dooractuating lever, for closing said door.

1 In a device for automatically operating elevator-doors from an elevator-car, the combination of a bracket provided with adj ustable contact-arms affixed to the exterior of the elevator-car; a stationary bracket affixed to the elevator-landing in the line of movement of said car; a slidable block supported in suitable guidaways in said stationary bracket; a roller-bearing supported from said slidableblock inline with the line of movement of said contact-arms when extended; a dooractuating lever pivotally connected at its lower end to said stationary bracket, and at its opposite end to said door; means for adjusting said contact-arms from the car so as to be brought in contact with said roller-bearing; a plurality of spiral springs for communicating a yielding movement from said slidable block, when actuated by said contactarms, to said door-actuating lever,a plurality of spiral springs for closing said door, when relieved from the action of said contact-arms, means for applying tension to said actuating spiral springs from said slidable block, as the door is opened; and means for communicating the recoil of said actuating-springs to said actuating-lever, for closing said door.

4. In a device for automatically operating elevator-doors from an elevator-car, the combination of a bracket provided with adjustbe brought in contact with said roller-bearing;

means for locking said arms when adj usted said door-actuating lever, and at the opposite end with said slidable block; a plurality of spiral springs for closing said door, connect-.

ed at one end with said stationary bracket, and at their opposite ends with said slidable block; means for applying tension to said actuating spiral springs from said slidable block, as the door is opened; and means for communicating the recoil of said actuatingsprings to said door-actuating lever, for closing said door.

5. In a device for automatically operating elevator-doors from an elevator-car, the combination of a bracket provided with adj ustable contact-arms affixed to the exterior of the elevator-car; a stationary bracket aifixed to the-elevator-landing in the line of movement of said car; a slidable block supported in suitable guideways in said stationary bracket a roller-bearing supported from said slidable block in line with the line of movement of said contact-arms when extended; a door-actuating lever pivotally connected at its-lower end to said stationary bracket; a plate or bracket provided with an elongated slot rigidly connected to said door; aslidable block having guide-bearings in said slot; an air-cylinder provided with a piston and piston-rod, connected with said plate or bracket, the protruding end of said piston-rod being connected with said block; a pivotal bolt con necting one arm of said door-actuating lever with said block; an outwardly-opening valve located above said piston in said cylinder; an air-controlling cock for controlling the admission of air to said cylinder; means for adjusting said contact-arms from the car so as to be brought in contact with said roller-bearing; means for locking said arms when ad justed to act against said roller-bearing; a plurality of spiral springs for communicating ayielding movement from said slidable block, when actuated by said contact-arms, to said door-actuating lever, connected at one end with said door-actuating lever, and at their opposite ends with said slidable block; a plurality of spiral springs for closing said door, connected at one end with said stationary bracket, and at their opposite ends with said slidable block; means for applying tension to said actuating spiral springs from said slidable block, as the door is opened; and means for communicating the recoil of said actuating-springs to said door-actuating lever, for closing said door.

6. In a device for automatically operating elevator-doors from an elevator-car, the combination of a bracket provided with adjustable contact-arms aflixed to the exterior of the elevator-car; a stationary bracket aflixed to the elevator-landing when in the line of move ment of said car; a slidable block supported in suitable guideways in said stationary bracket; a roller-bearing supported from said slidable block in line with the'line of movement of said contact-arms when extended; a door-actuating lever pivotally connected at its lower end to said stationary bracket, and at its opposite end to said door; means for adjusting said contact-arms from the car so as to be brought in "contact with said rollerbearing; means for locking said arms when adjusted to act against said roller-bearing; a plurality of spiral springs for communicating a yielding movement from said slidable block, when actuated by said contact-arms, to said door-actuating lever, connected at one end with said door-actuating lever, and at their opposite ends with said slidable block; a secondary lever pivotally supported from said stationary bracket; a plurality of spiral springs connected at one end with said sta tionary bracket, and at their opposite ends with said secondary lever; a link connecting one end of said secondary lever with said slidable block; and means for communicating a positive movement from said secondary lever to said door-actuating lever, as the elevatordoor is closed.

7. In a device for automatically operating elevator doors from an elevator car, the means herein described for locking the elevator-door when in its closed position, consisting in the combination with said door; of a plate or bracket 14: provided with an elongated slot 16 and a right-angular slot or recess 55; a door-actuating lever 11, provided with a pivotal bolt 60, adapted to engage in said right-angular recess 55 and hold said door in its closed position; and means, substantially herein described, for communicating motion from the moving car to said door-actuating lever and disengaging said pivotal bolt from said right-angular recess when opening said door, substantially as specified.

8. In a device for automatically operating elevator-doors from an elevator-car, the combination of a bracket provided with adjustable contact-arms aflixed to the exterior of the elevator-car; an operating-lever pivotally supported from the interior of the elevatorcar; a link communicating from said operating-leverwith said contact-arms; a stationary bracket affixed to the elevator-landings in the line of movement of said car; a slidable block supported in suitable guideways in said stationary bracket; a roller-bearing supported from said slidable block in line with the line of movement of said contact-arms when extended; a door-actuating lever pivotally connected at its lower end to said stationary bracket, and at its opposite end to said door; means for adjusting said contact-arms from the car so as to be brought in contact with secondary lever with said slidable block; and means for communicating a positive movement from said secondary lever to said dooractuatinglever, as the elevator-door is closed.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES W. KIRSOH.

Witnesses:

JOHN M. GARTSIDE, JOHN H. OOULTER. 

